New Nephews!!!

I posted this on Elizabeth's blog.  Just wanted to add it here for our family. 

Toby's twin brother, Tory had twins!!!

Welcome to the world little Luke Michael and Maxwell Henry Thornton!

Luke Michael

4lbs. 2oz.

17 inches

6:46 am

Maxwell Henry

3 lbs. 1 1/2 oz.

Just over 16 inches long

6:48 am

Elizabeth will be posting the full birth story of her twins, but I just wanted to post a few details. She went into labor early this morning and was able to get an epidural just in time to deliver. She barely pushed and the boys were here! She had Luke Michael at 6:46 and not but two minutes later did Maxwell Henry arrive. We are glad that she and the babies are healthy and doing well.

Because the boys were born early (32 weeks 1 day) they will be spending some time in the NICU. They will probably be there for 3-6 weeks--long enough that they can breathe on their own, eat on their own and gain some weight. Not too uncommon for twins that are born early. Other than being on a CPAP (helps keep the lungs open) they are doing well.

Enjoy the photos!

Had to take photos of the names, so I wouldn't get the two confused! They don't look exactly alike, but they sure are tiny little babies and at first, it's hard to tell them apart.

Elizabeth's parents hands holding little Luke. He is so tiny!!!

Little fingers.

The CPAP machine. He was holding on to it.

Big brother Ryker! He was so excited to see his babies. What a fun household they will have. Love having boys.

Such happy faces! Michelle and Ryker give the best smiles.


Proud Daddy and Ryker standing by Luke

The favorite aunt Tino (I come in a close 2nd), Elizabeth and Luke

Little baby

Tiny toes

Elizabeth sure is looking good for going on 6 weeks hospital bed rest and then giving birth to two babes! She is one tough cookie. Congrats momma!!!

Now onto Maxwell Henry!

He was a little bruised from being poked and also from being jabbed on by his brother.

Ryker and Daddy. Love the smile Ryker!!!

There's a happy face!

Can you believe we're missing two kids?!?! Michelle and Luke. Can't believe Tory and Elizabeth have twins! They just doubled their kids. :)

Such tiny legs and feet. So precious and soft.

Such love already for these two little guys. They sure came to a good family.

Happy and proud parents!

Sleep tight little one!

Congrats Tory, Elizabeth, Michelle and Ryker!!! What a happy ending to 2010. We love you guys and can't wait to hold Luke and Max. They are adorable.

Cute Little name signs. Glad they get to share a room. Just had to throw that one in. :)

Snowmen Popsicle Sticks

Today Dallas and I did a little craft since we are still fighting awful colds and coughs. I found this idea for Snowmen on a blog called Serving Pink Lemonade. It was super easy to make and we had a lot of fun. I need to make Dallas a smock so he won't get paint on his clothes. Today I just stripped him down to his onsie.

I put them both up on our cabinets so he could see them.  We had a really fun time and Dallas is getting good at details!

Dallas' cute blue snowman.  He did everything by himself except for the smile.  He picked out the eyes and the color of his hat.  He loves the color blue!!

My snowman.

I am having a fun time coming up with things to do during these winter months.  He wants to go outside so bad--and we usually do, but only for a little while.  It has been fun to make stuff together.  Love my boys.

Finishing up December

Random photos that I never got around to blogging.  Dallas is helping Toby put up lights.  He wanted to stand on the latter-thought he was such a big boy!

Look at you!!!

He helped put these lights on the little tree outside and was so proud!!!  He loved to see them on at night.

Snowball fight!

Love how his tongue is sticking out.

The Wes man.

Putting up our tree.  I love real Christmas trees.  Someday we'll go fake, but for now, I love the real ones.  They smell so good!  And we didn't have too big of a needle problem this year.

This was the beginning of December.  Wish we had this snow now-but it's just ugly outside.  I love the snow!

Life is hard

The house is quiet and has been for a while. I am exhausted, but am still up. My heart is heavy today.

My dear friend buried her baby today. He was only 14 months old.

I am so thankful for the knowledge that families are forever.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Waiting in the girls room to go downstairs.  Dallas and Wes weren't too sure what was going on.  We had to wake Wes up so he wasn't too happy.  And it wasn't even that early!  Only 8:30.

Heading down the stairs.  We're so excited!!  What did Santa bring?

A FIRE TRUCK!!!  Just what I asked for!

So happy.  He was amazed that Santa came and brought him something.  I think he is still learning about the whole concept, but he kept saying, "Santa, Yea!  Wahoo!"

Cute Rudolph that we got for Wesley.  His nose lights up and he talks (which the boys all mock) and is so soft!

The girls-looking at what Santa brought them

A new ring!  How beautiful!

New traditions--we had cinnamon rolls for breakfast.  They were awesome!

Thanks Mom!

Yum!

Megan and her prized Taylor Swift shirt.  She was bidding for it on Ebay and then forgot all about it and thought she lost the auction.  Little did she know that Mom had already called me and told me NOT TO LOSE!!!  :)  That was a fun present for her to open.

Cute Katie and her CV sweatshirt, Megs in her cute shirt.

Mom made these ADORABLE books for the boys.  Wes' was an "I am a Child of God" book with cute photos of him.  It was one of my favorite presents.

Wesley found a new paci.  A ring pop! 

Andrew

Dallas' book was the ABC's.  Such a cute book.  He sure loves his Lovey.  They are the best of buds.  He asks to call her everyday.  And sometimes he'll just take my phone and call her on his own. 

Katie and some pretty presents.  My family likes to make the presents all pretty and they look so nice under the tree!

Dallas discovered the ring pop!

So many toys!!!  They were sure spoiled this year.  It was so fun to see them react to the different things they got.  Wesley loves balls and he got a few, so he was happy.

Mom and her boys

Megan made us an adorable photo frame with the saying, "Family-We may not have it all together, but together we have it all."  She took photos from our recent photo shoot and used them.  Thanks Megan!  Very cute.

She made one for Mom and Dad too.

A Lightening McQueen poster!!  We have it up in his room.  His two favorite movies of all time are Cars and Toy Story II. 

Toby trying on Melissa's hat.  Pretty cute babe.

Dad and his present.

The girls like to wrap and they often come up with creative ways to label them.  Love how "To" turned into "Toby"
Very creative!

Fun day!

The hurricane.  What a fun filled day.  We sure had a blast being home with the boys and sharing Christmas with the family.  I always get sad on Christmas day because it's all over.  I think I love the weeks leading up to the big day rather than the big day itself!  Guess it's a good thing it happens every year!  And now next year, we'll have another little one to celebrate with.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!